Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Ultra Limited 1690 FLHTK 2011 — Specifications

When one evokes the American highway, the image that often arises is that of a Harley-Davidson Electra Glide, a monumental silhouette speeding towards the horizon. In 2011, with the Ultra Limited FLHTK, the Milwaukee firm didn't just refine its legend, it equipped it with a heavy artillery intended to crush the competition. The heart of the beast, a V-twin engine of 1690 cm3, isn't there for power figures, modest at 81 horsepower, but for its bulldozer torque: 133.4 Nm available from 3500 rpm. It is this wave of traction, this constant roll that defines the experience, much more than a speedometer displaying a theoretical top speed of 170 km/h.

With its 400 kg dry weight and 413 kg with full tanks, the Ultra Limited commands respect before even turning the key. Yet, once in motion, the beast becomes civilized. The engine, coupled with a six-speed Cruise Drive transmission, transforms this mass into an unwavering advance, the belt drive ensuring exemplary progressiveness. The 745 mm high saddle offers a throne-like seat, but it is the entire equipment that classifies this machine in the "super Tourer" category: the side cases and the integrated top case, the adjustable windscreen, the audio system and the cruise control make it an autonomous land yacht. The 22.7-liter tank promises stages worthy of the Far West.

But this approach to travel is not without compromises. On mountain roads or in tight corners, the weight and the geometry, very dedicated to straight lines, remind the rider. The 41 mm telescopic fork and the two lateral shock absorbers, with their measured travel, manage stability more than dynamism. The braking, despite its two 300 mm front discs and its four-piston caliper, requires anticipation and firmness. Here we are in the register of a ship's captain, not a sports rider.

At nearly 28,000 euros at the time, the Electra Glide Ultra Limited clearly targeted the confirmed globetrotter, the devotee of wide open spaces for whom travel is a ritual more than a simple translation. It directly dialogues with competitors such as the Honda Gold Wing, more technical and sophisticated, or the BMW K 1600 GTL, more agile. Harley bets everything on emotion, on this raw sensation delivered by the large V-twin, a deep sound and an unparalleled physical presence.

Ultimately, this machine is not a motorcycle, it is an institution on two wheels. It excels in its role as a luxury locomotive for long straight lines, offering unparalleled comfort and aura. On the other hand, it requires the rider to embrace its philosophy: majestic slowness, the pleasure of pure cruising, and the acceptance of mechanics that prioritizes feeling over absolute performance. For those seeking the essence of the American road trip, it remains an undisputed reference.